If you’re an employee, employer, or HR professional planning for the year ahead, one of the first questions you’ll likely ask is:
How many workdays are there in 2026?
From setting project timelines and planning vacations to budgeting payroll and managing staffing levels, understanding the number of working days, after weekends and holidays are accounted for, is essential.
This guide breaks down everything you need to plan your year effectively, including total workdays, U.S. federal holidays, state observances, time off planning tips, and tools to help you make the most of 2026.
What is a Workday?
A workday is typically defined as any weekday, Monday through Friday, that is not a weekend or a public holiday. Most U.S. organizations operate on a standard five-day workweek, usually from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
That said, not all industries follow this schedule. Healthcare, retail, hospitality, manufacturing, and public safety often operate on weekends or around the clock. In those cases, the definition of a “workday” depends on shift patterns and organizational needs.
For most U.S. employees, however, workdays simply mean weekdays minus holidays, and this number becomes the foundation for annual planning, productivity goals, and time off management.
How Many Work Days in 2026?
Working Days in 2026
The calendar year 2026 has 365 days and is not a leap year. To calculate standard workdays, we subtract weekends and federal holidays that fall on weekdays.
Total calendar days: 365
Weekends: 104 days (52 Saturdays + 52 Sundays)
Federal holidays on weekdays: 11
Calculation:
365 – 104 – 11 = 250 workdays
Final Answer:
There are approximately 250 working days in 2026 for most U.S. employees.
Keep in mind: your actual number of workdays may vary slightly depending on your employer’s holiday policy, observed holidays, industry, or state-specific closures.
How Many Federal Holidays Are There in 2026?
| Holiday | Date (2026) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thursday, January 1 | Marks the beginning of the new year |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Monday, January 19 | Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. |
| Presidents’ Day | Monday, February 16 | Honors U.S. presidents |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 25 | Honors fallen U.S. service members |
| Juneteenth | Friday, June 19 | Commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. |
| Independence Day | Saturday, July 4 (Observed Friday, July 3) | Celebrates U.S. independence |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 7 | Recognizes workers’ contributions |
| Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day | Monday, October 12 | Observed by the federal government |
| Veterans Day | Wednesday, November 11 | Honors U.S. military veterans |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 26 | National day of gratitude |
| Christmas Day | Friday, December 25 | Celebrates Christmas |
Holidays in 2026
In addition to federal holidays, there are many other observances that may not be mandated by law but are still widely celebrated. Some employers voluntarily provide time off for these holidays or offer them as half-days or optional leave days.
Here are a few notable non-federal holidays in 2026:
| Observance | Date (2026) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Valentine’s Day | Saturday, February 14 | Not a public holiday, but often celebrated in offices with small events or early finishes. |
| Good Friday | Friday, April 3 | Recognized by many Christian communities; some businesses close or allow optional religious leave. |
| Halloween | Saturday, October 31 | Not an official holiday, but many workplaces celebrate with themed dress codes or shorter hours. |
| Black Friday | Friday, November 27 | The day after Thanksgiving, often treated as a paid day off or one of the most popular vacation days of the year. |
| Christmas Eve | Thursday, December 24 | Commonly observed as a half-day or full company closure, especially in private-sector workplaces. |
State Holidays in the U.S. 2026
Apart from federal holidays, individual U.S. states observe their own official holidays. These holidays typically apply to state employees and may also affect public schools or local government offices. Private employers may choose whether to observe them based on their location and industry.
Some notable state holidays in 2026 include:
César Chávez Day: March 31 (California): Honors the labor leader and civil rights activist.
Patriots’ Day: April 20 (Massachusetts & Maine): Commemorates the battles of Lexington and Concord, which marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.
Emancipation Day: April 16 (Washington, D.C.): Marks the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia in 1862.
Pioneer Day: July 24 (Utah): Celebrates the arrival of Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley.
Nevada Day: October 31 (Nevada): Marks Nevada’s admission to the Union in 1864.
These state-level holidays may affect government services in those states and may also be observed by private businesses operating locally.
How Many Work Days Off Are There in 2026?
While the official number of workdays in 2026 is 250, the actual number of days off an employee receives will depend on their employer’s policies and benefits package.
Here’s a typical breakdown of time off:
Federal holidays: 11 days
Vacation days: Usually 10–20 days per year, depending on tenure and company policy
Sick leave: Commonly 5–10 days, depending on state laws and employer structure
Personal or floating holidays: Often 1–3 additional days
In total, many full-time employees can expect 30–40 paid days off in 2026, which is roughly equivalent to 6–8 full workweeks away from work.
Tips For Planning Your 2026 Work Schedule
Efficient time off planning can enhance productivity, reduce burnout, and improve work-life balance. Here are some strategies to make the most of your workdays and vacation in 2026:
Use long weekends for extended breaks
Combine a federal holiday (like Memorial Day or Labor Day) with a vacation day or two to create longer breaks without using much of your paid time off.Plan around major projects and deadlines
Coordinate your leave with your team and management to avoid absences during critical work periods, ensuring smooth operations and team coverage.Submit vacation requests early
High-demand times such as summer, Thanksgiving, and the winter holidays fill up quickly. Requesting time off early increases your chances of approval.Take advantage of lesser-known holidays
State holidays or company-wide closures can be a great opportunity for short trips, rest, or personal projects.Use a leave management tool like Day Off
Digital tools make it easier to track leave balances, avoid scheduling conflicts, and streamline requests for both employees and HR teams.Review your PTO accrual policy
Understand how your paid time off accumulates, monthly, quarterly, or annually, and plan to ensure you use it before it expires.
Use Day Off Leave Tracker
Simplify your team’s time-off planning in 2026 with Day Off, a user-friendly leave management tool designed for businesses of all sizes. It helps teams stay organized, avoid scheduling conflicts, and manage every vacation or PTO request with minimal effort.
Real-Time Leave Balance Tracking
View updated leave balances instantly. Day Off automatically tracks accruals, used days, remaining balances, and carry-overs, ensuring employees and managers always have accurate information.
Customizable Leave Types and Policies
Create unlimited leave categories such as annual, sick, parental, or unpaid leave. You can set custom accrual rates, define reset rules (annual or anniversary-based), and tailor policies for teams or individuals.
Automated Approval Workflows and Multi-Approvers
Configure flexible approval workflows with one or multiple approvers. Notifications and alerts keep requests moving quickly, ensuring a smooth and consistent approval process.
Work Schedule Management
Set up employee work schedules to reflect different shifts, weekends, or regional working days. This feature ensures accurate leave calculations and helps prevent scheduling conflicts across diverse teams.
Shared Team Calendar
Visualize your entire team’s schedule in one place. The shared calendar helps identify overlapping requests, maintain proper staffing, and improve coordination across departments.
Mobile, Desktop, and Integrations
Access Day Off anywhere, on iOS, Android, or web. Sync with Google Calendar or Outlook, and integrate with tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams to make leave management seamless.
Global and Multi-Location Support
Manage teams across different countries or time zones with localized holidays, workweek settings, and carry-over rules, ensuring compliance and consistency worldwide.
Workweeks, Holidays, and Time Off in 2026 – FAQ
How many workweeks are there in 2026?
2026 has 52 full calendar weeks (365 days).
With a standard Monday–Friday schedule, that equals 260 possible weekdays. After accounting for federal holidays, most full-time employees work about 248–252 days, or roughly 49–50 workweeks, depending on how many holidays your employer observes.
How many workdays are in 2026?
Total weekdays: 260
Federal holidays (U.S.): 11
Typical workdays after holidays: ~249
This number can vary based on:
State or local holidays
Company-specific holidays
Floating holidays or personal days
What happens when a holiday falls on a weekend?
In the U.S., federal holidays are usually observed on a weekday:
Saturday holiday → observed on Friday
Sunday holiday → observed on Monday
Private employers may follow different rules, so it’s best to confirm with HR.
Do all employees get federal holidays off?
No. Federal holidays are not legally required days off for private-sector employees. Whether you get the day off (or holiday pay) depends on:
Employer policy
Industry (e.g., healthcare, retail, hospitality)
Employment status (full-time vs. part-time)
Do part-time employees get holidays off or paid?
It depends on employer policy. Common approaches include:
No holiday pay for part-time staff
Pro-rated holiday pay based on hours worked
Eligibility after a waiting period
Always check your employee handbook or contract.
How can I check state-specific holidays?
Each state publishes an official holiday calendar, usually through:
Department of Labor
Department of Administrative Services
State government HR portals
These holidays often apply to public employees, but private employers may choose whether to observe them.
Can unused PTO be carried over into 2027?
Carryover rules depend on:
Company policy
State labor laws
Common models include:
Carryover with a cap (e.g., up to 40 hours)
Use-it-or-lose-it
Unlimited PTO (no accrual)
Some states restrict or prohibit “use-it-or-lose-it” policies.
How do remote or hybrid employees request time off?
Remote and hybrid workers generally follow the same PTO process as on-site staff. Most companies use:
HR platforms
Leave-management software
Shared calendars for visibility
Location rarely affects eligibility, policy does.
Are there new workplace trends affecting time off in 2026?
Yes. Common trends include:
Mental health days
Floating holidays (employees choose which days to observe)
Unlimited PTO models
Four-day workweeks or compressed schedules
Company-wide shutdown weeks to encourage rest
These changes aim to reduce burnout and improve retention.
What’s the best way to maximize time off in 2026?
Take PTO around federal holidays to create long weekends
Spread breaks evenly throughout the year
Use short, frequent breaks instead of saving all PTO for one trip
Coordinate time off early to avoid peak conflicts
Strategic planning can turn limited PTO into more rest and better recovery.
Does overtime affect holiday or PTO eligibility?
Overtime usually does not increase PTO accrual, but some employers calculate PTO based on:
Hours worked
Years of service
Job classification
Holiday pay rules also vary, some companies pay overtime rates if you work on a holiday.
How can employers reduce burnout with limited time off?
Effective strategies include:
Encouraging employees to actually use PTO
Normalizing mental health days
Offering flexible scheduling
Avoiding after-hours communication expectations
Time off only helps if employees feel safe using it.
Conclusion
As 2026 approaches, thoughtful time off planning is more important than ever. With 250 workdays spread across 52 weeks, balancing productivity and personal well-being requires clear policies, early planning, and the right tools. Understanding federal and state holidays, using your PTO strategically, and encouraging regular breaks can help employees stay energized and engaged throughout the year.
Tools like Day Off make managing time off simpler for everyone, reducing administrative work, preventing scheduling conflicts, and promoting transparency across teams. Whether your organization is large or small, efficient leave management not only improves operations but also supports a healthier, happier workplace.
Taking the time to plan ahead ensures that 2026 is a year of balance, focus, and sustainable success, for both employees and employers alike.